Force at least three turnovers because the offense isn’t going to score enough points on its own to win. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will force some throws, especially when tantalized by the Cardinals’ man coverage. The Cardinals need to force him into a couple of mistakes in order to set up scores.

Cardinals key stat: 22

That’s the number of passes the Cardinals have intercepted this season, the most in the NFL. They had only 10 in 2011.

Cardinals key player: Left tackle Nate Potter

Potter has protected well since moving into the lineup five games ago. He has received occasional help from tight ends and running backs, and Potter will need that Sunday against defensive end Julius Peppers, who has 8½ sacks this season.

Be patient on offense and don’t take chances in the passing game. The Cardinals aren’t going to put together more than one long scoring drive, so the Bears will gain field position if they don’t commit turnovers. That’s easier said than done because the Cardinals can pressure the passer, and they have intercepted 21 passes.

Bears key stat: 11

That’s the average number of points the Bears scored in their past five losses. The Bears have lost five of their past six to drop to 8-6.

Bears key player: Receiver Brandon Marshall

He has 107 receptions, breaking the franchise record of 100 held by Marty Booker. Marshall has scored 10 touchdowns and averages 13.1 yards a catch. The Cardinals will put Patrick Peterson on Marshall for most of the game.

Quarterback Ryan Lindley looked better last week against the Lions than he did in his previous start. But that’s a backhanded compliment because Lindley was terrible against the Jets. He didn’t do much, good or bad, against the Lions. He had one pass intercepted and he passed for only 104 yards. The Cardinals are going to need more out of the passing game. They can’t count on every opponent committing four turnovers that led to touchdowns, as the Lions did. Running back Beanie Wells showed some life last week, and coaches need to stay with him when that happens. They went away from the run last week when it was working. In a familiar refrain, the Cardinals need to concentrate on getting receiver Larry Fitzgerald the ball. The Bears aren’t likely to leave him in single coverage, but maybe the Cardinals can work Fitzgerald in the middle of the field and on crossing routes.

Edge: Bears

Bears on offense

Last week, the Bears had trouble with Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme, which is similar to the Cardinals’. The Cardinals need another dominant performance out of their defensive line, which they received last week. End Calais Campbell disrupted the Lions offense all day, and end Darnell Dockett played one of his better games of the season. Cornerback Patrick Peterson’s workload doesn’t ease any this week. He goes from covering the Lions’ Calvin Johnson to the Bears’ Brandon Marshall. Nose tackle Dan Williams is expected back from a hamstring injury, which means the Cardinals will be almost at full strength. They’ll need every man because this unit must not only stop the Bears, it needs to come up with some turnovers if the Cardinals are to win.

Edge: Cardinals

Special teams

Two of the Cardinals’ better special teamers, safeties Rashad Johnson and James Sanders, missed practice this week because of injuries. If they don’t play Sunday, it’s a blow because Devin Hester of the Bears is one of the better kick and punt returns in the NFL. Punter Dave Zastudil faces a huge challenge in keeping Hester pinned to a sideline. Bears punter Adam Podlesh will be trying to do the same to Patrick Peterson of the Cardinals. Neither Hester nor Peterson has scored on returns this season. Michael Adams and Justin Bethel have been excellent as gunners for the Cardinals punt team. It will be interesting to see if the Bears trying to double team one of them, or both.

Edge: Cardinals

Bottom line

The Bears have lost five of six and this game doesn’t look like the blowout it did a few weeks ago. But quarterback Jay Cutler should give Chicago the edge, because the Cardinals are starting rookie Ryan Lindley. The Cardinals offense could give the rest of the team a boost if it scored early. It’s moved the ball on the opening possession four consecutive weeks now, but penalties and turnovers have cost them.

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